1930 Cadillac radio wanted

[ChrisCummings]

I'm looking for a late 1929 to 1930 Delco Remy car radio, model number 3002.  I own a 1930 Cadillac that was originally equipped with such a radio, but a prior owner removed and disposed of it. 

 

The model number 3002 was a dealer-installed optional accessory available in the 1930 Cadillac and LaSalle cars.  The set was originally manufactured by General Motors Radio Corporation (also known as Day-Fan Radio).  

 

Thanks!

 

Chris Cummings

Manassas, Virginia

[edinmass]

There were at least three different radios installed in 1930. You need to post a photo of what you want. Joe out of Texas is the leading expert on earth Cadillac radios. I have one for our 30 V-16 roadster, which was originally equipped with one. There are a bunch of components and wiring harnesses that go with them.

[ChrisCummings]

If I've done this right, attached should be images illustrating the 3002 radio.  Joe out of Texas is a good friend and has driven my car.  My car's instrument board still has the holes for the dials and key lock, but a prior owner had a new, intact engine-turned panel installed.

 

Chris Cummings

[edinmass]

Chris……I think the photo you posted is one I shared here sometime in the last few years. In fifty years of playing with early Cadillac’s I have only seen three of them including the one we have. One was in a V-12 sedan with a rear mounted spare. The car was on the show circuit back in the 90’s and seems to have gone underground again. I would very seldom say this………but the chance of finding one is just about nill. Someone made a copy of the control knobs back in the early 80’s. I have never seen anyone build a replica from scratch. Also be aware there were changes made to the set you’re looking for……..mainly the large knob having a Cadillac/LaSalle logo on it. I have never seen the factory photo you posted, what publication did it come from? 

Edited April 7, 2023 by edinmass (see edit history)

[ChrisCummings]

Ed,

 

I've long suspected that you're right about the likelihood of finding one of those sets.  They were rare, they didn't work well (at least not by the standards of even two years later), and people gave up on them.  The 1932 Cadillac radio eliminated the "B" batteries and introduced superheterodyne technology.  It was a far better radio, and some people even retrofitted those into 1930 or '31 

 

The picture I posted of the set came from a page out of the November 11, 1929 issue of Radio magazine that someone had posted online.  There's also an article from the January 1931 issue of Cadillac's Accessory Facts, a publication that Cadillac sent to dealers to pump sales of accessory items.  However, both documents are in .pdf format and this forum does not consider .pdf files to be "accepted."  I'll try to send them to your e-mail address in the CCCA directory.

 

Joe from Texas told me the long saga of his successful hunt for the radio that's now in his roadster.  As an airline employee he was able to travel around the country to attend radio club meets, track down leads, and so forth.  He and the late Doug Houston figured out over the phone how to re-engineer the electronics of the 1930 Delco Remy radio to convert it into a really usable set. 

 

Best regards,

 

Chris Cummings

Edited April 8, 2023 by ChrisCummings
add last name (see edit history)

[8E45E]

One in a Studebaker President, at about the 1:17 mark:   

Craig

[ChrisCummings]

Pretty similar.  Looks like a '32 Studebaker (I'm no expert) in spite of the title of the video clip.  Fun video!

Edited April 10, 2023 by ChrisCummings (see edit history)

[ChrisCummings]

Ed,

 

I tried to post the following text on Friday, but it didn't go through for some reason.

 

I've long suspected that you're right about the likelihood of finding one of those sets.  They were rare, they didn't work well (at least not by the standards of even two years later), and people gave up on them.  The 1932 Cadillac radio eliminated the "B" batteries and introduced superheterodyne technology.  It was a far better radio, and some people even retrofitted those into 1930 or '31.

 

The picture I posted of the set came from a page out of the November 11, 1929 issue of Radio magazine that someone had posted online.  There's also an article from the January 1931 issue of Cadillac's Accessory Facts, a publication that Cadillac sent to dealers to pump sales of accessory items.  However, both documents are in .pdf format and this forum does not consider .pdf files to be "accepted."  I'll try to send them to your e-mail address in the CCCA directory.

 

Joe from Texas told me the long saga of his successful hunt for the radio that's now in his roadster.  As an airline employee he was able to travel around the country to attend radio club meets, track down leads, and so forth.  He and the late Doug Houston figured out over the phone how to re-engineer the electronics of the 1930 Delco Remy radio to convert it into a really usable set.

 

Best regards,

 

Chris Cummings

[8E45E]

On 4/10/2023 at 4:28 PM, ChrisCummings said:

Pretty similar.  Looks like a '32 Studebaker (I'm no expert) in spite of the title of the video clip.  Fun video!

The car is definitely a 1931.  1932 models went to rear-hinged front doors, as the most obvious change.  Apparently, not one body part is interchangeable between 1931 and 1932.

 

As an FYI note, for radios, the Philco Transitone was by far the most popular radio found in Studebaker cars that year, so don't expect to find a Delco-Remy unit in one in a wrecking yard!!  I don't believe Cadillac ever offered Philco radios from the factory, since they would promote their own Delco brand, naturally.    For your enlightenment, I posted a Philco Transitone here:  auto history - Studebaker Drivers Club Forum

 

Craig

[ChrisCummings]

Thanks Craig!  Interesting information.

 

Chris

[ChrisCummings]

Here's a Delco Remy 3002 installation in a 1931 V-12.  The car is currently for sale and it still has the dials and lock, but not the radio or speaker.

[edinmass]

 

That's the car I was talking about on the other thread.......haven't seen it in over 25 years. That style dial and knob were reproduced back in the late 80's.....I think they made half a dozen sets.......I tried to get a set, but was out of luck by a month or two.  

Edited April 27, 2023 by edinmass (see edit history)

[ChrisCummings]

That '31 V-12 also still had the "B" battery boxes underneath, between the torque tube and the frame rail.  On the V-16s, the "B" batteries were stored on a tray under the front seat.  A service bulletin went out advising that V-16 owners be cautioned to place those batteries with the terminals facing forward.  A car had caught fire when the batteries shorted out against the seat adjustment hardware.

 

Chris Cummings